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Waist to height ratio
With all the negative chatter in the world today, I try to promote and circulate positive, informative, uplifting, and helpful content.
So here we go…
According to today’s health researchers, anyone concerned about future heart health and diabetes needs to measure their waist circumference and divide it into their height. Those individuals that maintain a waist 50% or less in relation to their height have a much healthier future. This applies to both men and women. * After analysis of more than 300,000 people, scientists found this information to be one of the best predictors of future problems with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke, as well as increased life expectancy. Dr. Margaret Ashwell, Director of British Nutrition Foundation, conducted this 2017 study.
People store their body fat in two distinct areas
1. Around the middle
(The apple shape).
Higher risk for future health problems
2. Around their hips
(The pear shape).
* Note: The exception to this statement would be the genetically short stature
of the indigenous Central and South American Indians.
Why is this true?
Studies show those that the individuals that carry their fat around their waist (apple shape) are at higher risk of health problems than those individuals with bigger hips than waist (pear shape). The higher the fat in the abdominal cavity means a higher ratio and a higher risk of obesity and related cardiovascular disease.
Waist circumference in relation to height is proving to be one of the most valuable predictions of your future health. Keep in mind that this is only one assessment of measuring future health risk, but it is proving to be quite significant.
You may ask, why have I never heard my doctor or anyone else for that matter ever mention this? One reason may be that the traditional medical community tends to respond to illness after it has occurred and most medical doctors in North America simply have not studied nor are they interested in illness prevention.
Waist to height (W/H) ratio is determined by simply dividing your waist measurement (taken at your belly button) into your height measure. The measurement MUST be done with a tape measure NOT pant size. This information is a measurement of fat distribution within your abdominal cavity.
A W/H over 53% signifies the beginning of increased risk. This indicates that no more visceral (Internal) fat can be deposited around your internal organs, heart, liver and kidneys and therefore the body starts to deposit adipose (under skin) fat around your mid-section. It is that simple! This is why those apple shaped individuals are at greater risk.
For example, a 6-foot male is 72 inches tall and therefore should target a waist measure of 36 inches or less. Thus a 50% W/H ratio.
After analyzing the 300,000 people Dr. Ashwell and her team discovered:
Patients greater than…
54% W/H ratio are inviting future health challenges.
57% equals obesity
58% is a substantial risk of developing a multiple of health issues.
For example, a 6-foot male is 72 inches (183.cm) tall and therefore should target a waist measure of 36 inches (91.4cm)or less. Thus a 50%
Author: Mike McCaffrey
In 1979 I received a Master’s Degree of Health Education from the University of Cincinnati.
I have spent my life since then as a constant learner in the world of nutrition, and exercise science.
Today at 65, I am proud to share more than 40 years of my life to advance the health of others. Nothing is more rewarding to me than to help others raise their level of health and longevity.